HC Deb 22 June 1932 vol 267 cc1097-8
41. Mr. THORNE

asked the Minister of Health whether he has issued any instructions to public assistance committees regarding the reduction of equivalent amounts from the relief payments to unemployed parents in cases where the public education authority decides to supply free meals to necessitous children?

Mr. E. BROWN

The attention of public assistance authorities has been drawn in general terms to the necessity of taking into account, in assessing the amount of relief to be afforded, income and means from every source available to the household (subject to certain statutory exceptions), but no general instructions dealing specifically with the point raised by the hon. Member have been issued.

Mr. THORNE

Is the House to understand that when the local education authority give free meals to the children the public assistance committees are entitled to deduct an equivalent amount from relief payments?

Mr. BROWN

The hon. Member must not understand anything except what I have told him in my answer. If he will compare my answer with Circular 1069 of 3rd January, 1930, issued by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Wake-field (Mr. Greenwood), he will see what has been laid down in this matter.

Mr. THORNE

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a number of public assistance committees are taking into consideration the meals given to school children and stopping the equivalent from the Poor Law relief?

Mr. BROWN

That does not arise from the question. If the hon. Member wishes to raise a specific point, I would like to see it on the Paper.

Mr. THORNE

Will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to make inquiries from the Barking Public Assistance Committee?